The DuraUV 1600 is based on the Roland VersaART RF-640 platform and, according to CSL, took two years of development and field trials with beta-site users to finesse.

The machine, launched this month, will cost under £15,000 and run at 27sqm per hour. Ink costs will be around £1.30 per sqm against typical costs of around £2, according to CSL.

Marketing director Huw Davies said: “We have been developing UV ink technology for Roland machines, so this is a standard Roland eco-solvent technology with UV inks,” he said.

Target users are small to medium-sized printers keen to take advantage of the low running costs and substrate flexibility of UV technology, previously the preserve of larger, more expensive machines, he said.

“There is increasing demand for 1.6m-wide UV roll-to-roll printing and an appetite for immediacy: as soon as the light hits the ink, the print is ready for shipping, laminating or applying straight away.

“So, it is attractive to the smaller printers wanting fast turnaround jobs who don't want to outsource the work. Its ease of use and familiarity to Roland users are real plus points.”

Managing director Nick Wintle added that the cost savings of the DuraUV 1600 are instant as the inks deliver more metres per litre than solvent or latex ink technologies and the LED lamps require less power.

The low heat LED technology also means the integrity of the roll media remains unaffected according to technical director Justin Atkinson, which he opens up a broader range of substrate possibilities.

Initially the eight-channel printer will be available in the mirrored CMYK configuration and will ship with the Roland VersaWorks Dual RIP included in the package.

Separately, CSL Digital recently won the International Trade and Export category at the 2018 Buckinghamshire Business Awards.

Davies said: “Given the high calibre of the other companies in the category, we were genuinely taken aback to win this award.”

CSL Digital team, celebrating their award win on 22 May